Colorado Hiking & Backpacking TrailsGrand Lake Hiking Trails

There are Four Waterfalls to Discover While Hiking in the Grand Lake Area

Running from easy to moderate to hard, Grand Lake's scenic trails offer something for everyone. Check out trail descriptions below to find the hike that's right for you, whether it's a quiet stroll near a waterfall or a day-long backcountry trek.

Note: Trailhead descriptions run from south to north, mileage given is one-way.

TRAILHEAD: Grand Lake East Shore - Elevation: 8,390 ft.

Directions:

Driving into Grand Lake, bear right at the Sombrero Stables, and turn right at the first street. Keep going until you run out of paved road.

Hikes from this trailhead:

From the Grand Lake East Shore, you can hike up to Shadow Mountain Lookout, a fire lookout on the register of National Historic Places. This moderate hike is about 4.8 miles long, with 1,533 ft. of elevation gain.

TRAILHEAD: East Inlet - Elevation: 8,391 ft.

Directions:

From Highway 34, head east on 278 toward Grand Lake. Bear left at all forks until you reach the trailhead.

Hikes from this trailhead:

All hikes from this trailhead will lead you to beautiful falls or lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hike to Cascade Falls (3.5 miles, moderate difficulty) or North Inlet Falls (7.6 miles, moderate to difficult). Or try out the more difficult hikes to Lake Nokoni (9.9 miles, 2,240 ft. gain) or Lake Nanita (11 miles, 2,240 ft. gain).

TRAILHEAD: North Inlet - Elevation: 8,540 ft.

Directions:

Drive east from Highway 34 on 278 toward Grand Lake. Bear left at all forks until you reach the parking lot.

Hikes from this trailhead:

The easiest route from this trailhead leads to Adams Falls. At .6 miles with a gain of 79 feet, it's a nice stroll to a beautiful waterfall. Hikers looking for a moderate challenge can try the Lone Pine Lake trail (11 miles, 1,494 ft. gain) or the trail to Lake Verna (13.8 miles, 1,809 ft. gain).

TRAILHEAD: Tonahutu Creek - Elevation: 8,560 ft.

Directions:

Drive east from Highway 34 on 278 toward Grand Lake. Take a left at all forks until you reach the parking lot.

Hikes from this trailhead:

Hike along the Tonahutu Creek on the Big Meadows trail. The easy hike is 3.2 miles with a small elevation gain of 880 feet.

TRAILHEAD: Green Mountain - Elevation: 8,794 ft.

Directions:

Trailhead is 3.5 miles north of the park entrance on Highway 34.

Hikes from this trailhead:

The Valley Trail, a 5.5 mile loop, is an easy stroll from this trailhead. Or try the moderate hike to Granite Falls (5.2 miles, 1,046 ft. gain). Hikes to Haynach Lakes (8.3 miles, 2,286 ft. gain) and Flattop Mountain (10.3 miles, 3,530 ft. gain) are available for those who want longer, difficult trails.

TRAILHEAD: Onahu Creek - Elevation: 8,765 ft.

Directions:

Trailhead is about 3.5 miles north of the park entrance on Highway 34.

Trailhead is about 6.5 miles north of the park entrance on Highway 34.

Hikes from this trailhead:

The Onahu Creek Loop is a moderate, quiet stroll of about 6.5 miles. The Long Meadows trail (3.7 miles, 1,475 ft. gain), a moderate hike that's great for viewing wildlife, also starts from this trailhead.

TRAILHEAD: Timber Lake - Elevation: 9,000 ft.

Directions:

Trailhead is about 9.5 miles north of the park entrance on Highway 34.

Hikes from this trailhead:

The Timber Lake trail is a 4.8 mile, moderate hike through the flower-filled meadows below the lake. The Long Meadows trail (5.5 miles, 1,480 ft. gain) is a more secluded, moderate hike, great for moose and elk watching.

TRAILHEAD: Colorado River Trailhead - Elevation: 9,010 ft.

Directions:

Head 9.5 miles north of the park entrance on Highway 34. Trailhead has a picnic area.

Hikes from this trailhead:

Hikes from this trailhead: Beautiful hikes of all difficulties can be found from this trailhead. Take the easy 3.5 mile trail up to Lulu City, site of an 1880s mining town. Or try the moderate Little Yellowstone (5.1 miles, 1,021 ft. gain) or Skeleton Gulch trails. Those seeking difficulty can try out the trail to Lake of the Clouds (6.9 miles, 2,240 ft. gain), a rocky trek that gets harder near the end. Or head up difficult La Poudre Pass (7.4 miles, 1,501 feet) to cross the Continental Divide or Thunder Pass (6.9 miles, 2,321 ft. gain), a route once used by stage coaches.

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